Rebecca Passler Excluded from Olympics: A Doping Controversy

Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler has been barred from participating in the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics following a positive test for banned substances, announced the Italian National Olympic Committee on Monday.

The athlete tested positive for letrozole and methanol, marking the first doping incident since the arrival of national teams in northern Italy for the Games commencing on February 6. This incident poses significant embarrassment for the host nation amid their ongoing preparations.

Following official notification from the International Testing Agency, CONI immediately excluded Passler from the Olympic team. The Committee also noted the possibility of seeking a replacement. The 24-year-old, who previously secured 11th place in the women's 4x6km relay at the 2024 IBU World Championships, now potentially faces a significant competition ban.